A new Community Services Hub has opened at Maldon Hospital this month offering a range of new community health services to the local community.
The new services come as a direct result of the amalgamation of Maldon Hospital and Castlemaine Health earlier this year.
The amalgamation created Dhelkaya Health, a new organisation with responsibility for improving health and wellbeing in Mount Alexander Shire. Dhelkaya means ‘being healthy’ in Dja Dja Wurrung language.
Dhelkaya Health Chief Executive Officer Sue Race said they are delighted to welcome these community services to Maldon.
“The amalgamation committed to improving access to high quality health services for the Maldon community. Within just a few months that’s exactly what we’ve done. We expect to roll out further services in Maldon over time in response to community need and demand,” Ms Race said.
The first community health services already seeing clients at the Maldon Community Services Hub include podiatry, diabetes education, counselling for adults and children and continence services.
Other specialists setting up at the Hub over the coming weeks include dietitians, physiotherapists, speech pathologists and alcohol and drugs counsellors.
Any Maldon residents already travelling to Castlemaine for these services can now discuss changing their appointment location with their practitioner.
Dhelkaya Health’s Director Healthy Communities and Social Support Services Grant Hamilton said the service expansion means Maldon locals can now get more health and wellbeing support more easily without the need to travel.
“We’ve been working closely with Maldon Hospital’s Deputy Director of Nursing Peta Ballinger and the staff to get these services up and running, so it’s great to see our podiatrist Martin Burghardt and other specialists now seeing their clients in Maldon,” Mr Hamilton said.
The Community Services Hub has a separate reception to the main hospital and aged care, so clients can enter from Adair Street where they are welcomed by Community Services Hub Receptionist, Jess Humphrey.
With the Community Services Hub already seeing a steady stream of local clients through the door, Dhelkaya Health is expecting more Maldon locals to get in touch to find out how the services can help improve their health and wellbeing.
To find out more about these services or to make an appointment call Dhelkaya Health on 5471 3575. More information is also available online at www.maldhosp.vic.gov.au.
New community health services for Maldon
ASQ Garden & Landscape set for new Castlemaine home
Works on the dedicated new home for ASQ Garden & Landscape Castlemaine are well underway.
ASQ Garden & Landscape closed its doors at former location Skydancers at Harcourt late last week and opened a new pop-up Garden and Giftware shop in the Maxi IGA supermarket complex and a temporary Nursery adjacent to its new site at Miners Court, Castlemaine on Monday.
ASQ Garden & Landscape Castlemaine horticulturalist Elisabeth Templeton said it is an exciting new chapter for the local business which was founded by Graham and Lyn Bird and is now operated by the couple’s sons Tim and Wes.
“The brothers have proudly taken over the reins and are leading the way with the new build on the site of ASQ’s original quarry,” she said.
The new development, thought to be the largest industrial development in Castlemaine in some years, will see the new ASQ Garden & Landscape site occupy five of the eight allotments in the newly created industrial area in Miners Court, Castlemaine. With the remaining three blocks to be opened up to local businesses once the major build is complete.
Works on the brand new purpose-built garden centre commenced in late May and contractors have wasted no time getting stuck into the project with the building quickly taking shape.
“We are capturing footage of the build and our customers can catch up on the progress via the time-lapse video in the window of our pop-up store in the Maxi IGA complex,” Lis said.
The ASQ Garden & Landscape team had a massive week last week moving from Skydancers and setting up their temporary pop-up shops.
“The goods news is our entire team has relocated to Castlemaine so you can expect to see the same friendly faces,” she said.
The Mail understands the Skydancers site has been purchased by a local family business.
The new ASQ Garden & Landscape Castlemaine will feature landscape, garden and cafe areas all under one roof.
Horticulturalists Lis Templeton and Gary Sobey are looking forward to the challenge of building the new nursery from the ground up. This will be the third local nursery that Sobey has had a hand in, establishing the original Castle Flora Nursery (now Rodilesa) on the edge of Castlemaine with his late wife Christine back in 1979.
“We then established Skydancers as Chris really wanted to include a cafe element,” Gary told the Mail.
The horticulturalists say the new ASQ site will be complemented by a massive nursery, wildflower walk and alfresco areas, dedicated access for those collecting landscape supplies and plenty of car parking.
“Everyone on the team has had input into the overall design, its been an amazing collaborative effort and we can’t wait to bring the vision to life,” Gary said.
“The streetscape will be lined with October Glory Canadian Maples which will look stunning come Autumn,” Lis said.
The brand new ASQ Garden & Landscape Castlemaine site is anticipated to open in November.
Until then local green thumbs can source their indoor plants and gifts from the pop-up shop at the Maxi IGA complex which is open seven days and all their plants, mulch, soils and landscape needs from the temporary nursery located in Miners Court just opposite the new site. The temporary nursery is open from 7.30-5 Mon-Fri, 8-4 Sat and 10-3 Sun, with horticulturalists on site to provide expert advice from 9am daily.
“We have 2000 bare-rooted trees arriving Monday for the planting season so we expect to be busy!” Lis said.
The Fog, the Pirate, the Double Barrel, and the Centenarian!
That’s right … we had it all at Castlemaine Parkrun for our 312th event on Saturday, including an eerie fog, which added to the ambiance and rendered the lake particularly beautiful. Our volunteer photographer, Nicki, captured the mood perfectly. You can check out all the photos, videos, and latest news by following the Castlemaine parkrun facebook page.
Adding to the atmosphere, we also welcomed visiting parkrunner, Shelley De Luca, who is a self-confessed parkrun pirate. One of the many available challenges, aside from simply running 5kms each week, encourages parkrun tourism, by setting the task of ‘capturing’ the 7 Cs and 1 R (aarrrgggh). Hailing from Rosebud parkrun, Shelley already had the ‘R’ in the bag, but only had 6 Cs which she had collected by participating in parkrun events at Cascades on Clyde Wetlands; Chelsea Bicentennial; Campaspe; Churchill; Coburg; and Cyril Curtain Reserve. She has now captured her 7th C – Castlemaine parkrun.
I wonder which of the many fun and interesting challenges she will take on next?
Regular visitor to Castlemaine from GreenWay parkrun, west of Sydney, Pam Joseph was able to combine both her 25th volunteer milestone and her 50th run achievement this week, and we were very glad to help her with her double-barrel celebration.
Another cause for recognition was that of Colin Moore’s100th parkrun, 88 of which he has completed at Castlemaine, since he joined at the beginning of 2018. In this time, he has also volunteered in a variety of roles, on a total of 40 occasions and achieved 6 personal best times. We all recognised Colin’s centennial run, Pam’s 50/25th and the attainment of Shelley’s pirate challenge, by forming a tunnel of love at the beginning of the event and applauding their achievements.
As always, visitors from far and wide were welcomed to Castlemaine parkrun. This included a contingent from Mullum Mullum in Melbourne, visitors from Nepean River NSW and near neighbour, Kennington Reservoir, as well as Shelley from Rosebud.
A big shout out too, to the six people who recorded PBs this week – Chris Greene, Simone Ewenson, Harriet Storrar, Ros Calder, and junior runners Persephone Bevin and Daniel Dimopoulos.
Braving the fog to ensure the event ran smoothly was our team of 11 volunteers: Grace Chivers, Lily Chivers, Dianne Cox, Donna Faircloth, Michael Farr, Jane Harding, Pam Joseph, Nicki Renfrey, Shane Renfrey, Raewyn Rice and Robin Murdoch. Thank you one and all; it is heart-warming to see so many people willing to give up their time. Register at www.parkrun.com.au/register, grab your barcode, and join us in the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens playground area every Saturday morning at 7.50am.
Further considerations
Rosemary Turner, Castlemaine
Thank you to Hans Paas for the wise contribution to the Froomes Road Bridge discussion (Opinions, Mail July 8).
There are two more considerations to add to the paramount need for road safety.
First, pedestrians’ and bicycle riders’ safety – please include!
Since the on-going development of the paths in the Nature Reserve over the creek at the Botanical Gardens there is more pedestrian use of the bridge. This can be tricky, especially for those with children and/or dogs.
Second is the need to protect the boundary of our Botanical Gardens. The row of old cypress trees, kept in beautiful order by the Gardens’ staff, serves as an important part of the landscape. It is also the preferred area for shelter and feeding of the young Powerful Owls who live in our Botanical Gardens for months in the years when they breed locally. These are majestic, wild creatures, rare now, and categorised as Threatened Species.
Heavenly exhibition at Maldon
Respected local artist Catherine Tait embraced the opportunity to open a pop up gallery at 21 Main Street, Maldon during the recent Goldfields Gothic Festival.
Catherine has been creating all her life and exhibiting professionally for more than 35 years. She has won over 40 awards and in 2019 exhibited in New York and Venice in 2022.
The prolific artist created numerous large scale works during the covid lockdowns and needed a large space to exhibit the works.
“It was a shame to see some shops empty in the heart of Maldon during the new festival, so I contacted the owners to see if I could create a pop up gallery,” Tait says.
Her latest body of work centres on the use of warm highlights and darker undertones to create depth and emotive constructs. Her subjects vary, from portraits through to vast natural landscapes and intimate still life compositions.
“The exhibition tied in perfectly with the Goldfields Gothic Festival theme and includes a portrait of Maldon’s own goth Clover and some Victorian themed pieces,” she said.
The exhibition also includes designer furniture created by Catherine’s husband Neil and industrial designs and sculpture by the couple’s son Tristan Tait.
“The Maldon folk have been very embracing and delighted to see an empty shop occupied. I have also met new people to the town that are now venturing out after covid lockdowns,” Catherine said.
The pop up gallery continues for one final weekend, today Friday July 15 through to Sunday July 17 and is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm.
The exhibition coincides with the launch of Catherine’s latest series of online drawing and painting classes.
Catherine is a teacher of various skill levels from beginners to the more experienced in the arts.
“A lot of people tell me that they cannot draw. I can only do stick figures. I wish I could draw or paint like you.
“I am here to inform you that I can teach anyone to draw. All that is required is the desire and wish to have a go,” she said.
“My blog offers some great tips and insights for artists of all abilities,” she said.
This unique online approach is a way of reaching out to her students, avoiding cancellations of workshops or classes due to the impacts of covid.
Catherine also embraced the covid lockdowns by furthering her knowledge of the artist’s mind, she is currently completing her diploma of art therapy by correspondence.
A learning experience of what makes artist’s tick, thought patterns and analysis of art work will also be explored when joining the lessons with Catherine.
“People do feel intimidated in classes, feeling they’re on show.
“My classes are designed not only to develop your confidence but also so you can proceed at your own pace. You can be flexible and repeat classes until you are ready to move on,” she said.
Visit www.catherinetaitartclasses.com.au for further information.
My Castlemaine … with former mayor Bronwen Machin who has been in some pretty high places
G’day Bronwen. What a top little energy efficient home you have here in Castlemaine. Can you tell me a bit about it’s features?
Triple glazed windows. It’s sealed and very well insulated and I can open it up and set up systems to get a draft through. It’s a passive house and it’s solar passive which means I get this beautiful northern light in. It’s very small, 40 squares. I have solar power and a battery as well, although I’m not totally off grid. I pay about $40 a month (for energy). And I deliberately don’t have gas.
How long have you called Castlemaine home?
Twenty years.
Where did you move from?
Brunswick.
Are you a Melbourne gal originally?
No. British North Borneo. Penny Wong and I were born in the same place.
British North Borneo! That’s interesting. How did that come about?
My parents were doing post war reconstruction. My parents are teachers. Originally Dad was going out there to test his vocation to be an Anglican minister and to do good works – and came back an atheist. So that worked!
That’s a great story in itself.
We went: Borneo-Northern Territory-Borneo-Northern Territory-Borneo-Sydney-Blue Mountains-Canberra. And then I married a soldier and ended up in Melbourne. In 1989 I went around the world. In those days you could do that. Travel was still pretty rare. It was the year of the mountains so we started off in Nepal… I ended up in Germany six weeks before the Wall came down. Came back six weeks after and there was no Wall… I went to Nepal, joined my partner in the New Zealand Alps.
Was your partner the soldier you mentioned?
No. I’d moved on since… I’m still good friends with my soldier-husband, but … no… It was a climber that I went around the world with. I was a rock climber at that stage… We went to the New Zealand Alps, The Andies, then to the Swiss Alps, the Pyrenees and ended up on New Year’s Day on Mount Kosciuszko. That (travel) divided my life. Before that I was a really good public servant in Canberra and after that I thought – Nah! So ever since 1992 I’ve been working or volunteering. I started off with Environment Victoria, spent quite a while there, and even when I was working in local government I was a sustainable transport planner. I think my life will span a lot of things including the first measurement of greenhouse gas emissions, and from IBM saying the world will only need five computers to … even in this house there’s numerous computers…
Well here in Castlemaine you’re well recognised as the former Mount Alexander Shire Council mayor. How long have you previously served on the council and spent as mayor Bronwen?
With a couple of breaks I was on council for eight years, and two-and-a-bit years as mayor.
And you also have quite a few other community involvements. Can you give us a snapshot of those?
The Castlemaine Community House where I’m chair and treasurer, I’m also secretary of the Regional Association of Neighbourhood and Community Houses, Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail committee secretary, and I’m the Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail Representative for Mount Alexander Cycling. I’m doing a Certificate of Community Governance. It sets you up to be on committees and to do it well, and to recognise that there are real risks, real responsibilities, and how you keep focussing on what the objective of that committee is – not on your ego…. and I’m trying to learn Spanish but that’s not a community interest.
Any philosophies by which you like to lead life?
Part of living is giving. I’m a stoic. Stoicism is a philosophy which holds the belief that ‘remember death is just around the corner. It will happen so therefore what do you do now?’ It’s also about recognising what you have control over and what you don’t have control over.
Sounds a worthwhile philosophy. OK, moving on …Three dream dinner guests?
Maybe Marie Stopes one of the first female doctors in England who was very concerned around enabling access to contraception, Caroline Chisholm, Enid Lyons, our first female Parliamentarian, and Jacinda Adern…
That’s four and will no doubt make for some lively and political conversation around the table. OK, next question for you Bronwen… Any pet peeves?
Why would you put energy into a pet peeve?
That sound’s like an answer. What are you reading at the moment?
I’m reading a book I’ve just started which is fascinating – ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ by Robin Wall Kimmerer who’s a botanist, scientist and Indigenous northern American. I’ve just got into the bit where she’s comparing and contrasting the creation stories… Beautiful writer. Every word sings.
OK. Music. What’s your musical genre or artist of choice?
If it’s just background music I’d probably have Spanish guitar. If I’m doing the vacuuming I’ll be singing along, and hoping no-one hears me, to I don’t know… I love Eartha Kitt, Ella Fitzgerald…
Last one Bronwen, What do you enjoy most about living in Castlemaine?
Just all the amazing people. Everyone has a story that’s fascinating.
Info session for new community vet clinic offers prime chance to find out more
A community information session this Sunday offers a prime chance to find out more about a new vet clinic being established at Campbells Creek.
The team pushing to establish the new non-profit regional community vet clinic is hosting the session’ at Campbells Creek Community Centre, at 2pm this Sunday July 17 and is inviting locals to attend, ask questions and meet those behind the concept.
“Community is at the heart of everything we do, and we want to make sure our community, feel well informed about our plans, our goals, how to support us and how we are spending donations.” says founding member and secretary James Mack
He says the event is open to anyone to attend and will give the public a chance to see the proposed
site at Campbells Creek Community Centre where the new Regional Community Vet Clinic operations will be based.
Registration for the event is available via the RCVC Facebook page, but is not mandatory and anyone interested can attend Sunday’s session.
Not content with waiting to raise the funding needed to complete their purpose-built clinic the RCVC ream are
now looking at how they can have an impact in the community today.
They have more community days planned to provide pet de-sexing, vaccinations and micro-chipping.
They also have an ambitious plan to begin a community outreach program providing at-home pet care services
for those unable to travel due to financial or medical reasons.
The team behind the concept is also welcoming donations toward their clinic fundraising campaign and say these can be found at https://www.mycause.com.au/rcvc-clinic or through the RCVC homepage online.
With their newfound Deductible Gift Recipient status, they’re also inviting any organisations interested in corporate giving or sponsorship to contact them as well.
Another win for local racehorse in peak form
Bill West
Maldon-trained galloper Logo Logic is racing in peak form this preparation, and won effortlessly at Ballarat on Sunday.
With two wins and a second placing behind the smart Tylden-trained In Her Stride as his last three outings, the five-year-old is developing into a stable star for the Brian and Ashley McKnight training combination. Logo Logic is also raced by the McKnight family.
Well suited on the soft 7 rating track at Ballarat, Logo Logic was sent out as equal favourite with Sir Maximus in the Hygain Winners Choice BM64 Handicap.
Ridden by Christine Puls, who has a long time affinity with the McKnight stable, Logo Logic raced just off the pace and went to the front before the home turn, coming away in the straight to win by nearly two lengths from Sir Maximus.
Logo Logic has now chalked up four wins, and several placings, from 19 starts, with stake earnings totalling $78,823.
At his previous win at Donald, the very promising apprentice Sheridan Clarke rode Logo Logic.
The co-trainers are likely to consider tackling metropolitan company with Logo Logic in his present form.
Market building is the most fitting place for Felix
Melva Graham, Harcourt
As a member of the Castlemaine Pioneers and Old Residents Association, I agree with PM Boyer, June 17 Castlemaine Mail, that hiding the bust of Felix Cappy in the Old Telegraph Station that is not open daily is definitely not a good or worthy option.
Felix was a wonderful Castlemaine local who worked tirelessly to preserve many historical buildings in this town.
The Market building is one of those that he stopped from being demolished and, thanks to him, our unique historical building, the centre point of Castlemaine, now attracts both locals and visitors from many places. It is well used as the Visitor Information Centre, and is the ideal place for such a wonderful Castlemaine local as was Felix.
Safety is paramount for Froomes Road Bridge
Hans Pass
I would like to suggest two points in favour of retaining and refurbishing the current one lane bridge in Froomes Road;
1. The single lane with the ‘give way’ from west to east is a very successful and inexpensive ‘traffic calming’ measure. If the single lane bridge was replaced with a double lane other measures such as the dreaded speed hump would need to be considered to maintain optimum safety in Froomes Road.
2. The installation of a two lane bridge without load limits will inevitably lead to an increase in traffic and especially heavy traffic that currently uses Parker Street. While Parker Street is not ideal for this traffic, it is much safer than Froomes Road which has a number of hairpin bends that can trigger a serious accident if a driver is inattentive.
I feel that road safety should be the paramount consideration in any decision about the future of the bridge and if the council is determined to spend our money on a new bridge it should be a single lane bridge that continues to contribute to keeping Froomes Road as safe as possible.
CBD locations explored: Housing affordabilty crisis deepens
Two locations in Castlemaine’s Templeton Street are being explored as possible sites to develop medium density affordable rental homes amid the shire’s deepening housing affordability crisis.
Mount Alexander Shire Council is keen to explore the possibility of securing state or federal funding to develop medium density affordable rental homes at the potential sites – one above the Bendigo TAFE building, and the other above the car park alongside Castlemaine Community House.
“We are pushing the matter as fast as we can,” Mount Alexander mayor Cr Bill Maltby says.
Cr Maltby says the two sites being considered are both “air space” above land which is already council-owned, a fact which means the process of ticking all the necessary boxes and developing the two locations for affordable rental housing can be a less protracted process.
“The government has the cash to give out and all the council is doing is saying ‘you can use our space’,” the mayor says.
A public engagement exercise conducted last year identified housing affordability as among the most important issues in Castlemaine and the wider Mount Alexander Shire with older single women among the groups known to be particularly struggling to secure an affordable place to call home.
It’s prompted the council to appoint its first ever housing officer as it now strives to work with the community to particularly improve access to affordable long-term rental homes.
Locals who think they may have something valuable to contribute are now being encouraged to offer their thoughts on the subject via the council’s ‘Shape Mount Alexander’ community engagement platform.
Councillor Christine Henderson says that if the two Templeton Street sites under consideration can be developed for affordable rental housing, the process will likely take at least five years at best.
“This is in the centre of town and it’s probably our best hope,” Cr Henderson says.
“Affordable housing has traditionally meant a third of your income.”
“This is an issue that needs to be fixed and the council is taking the initiative,” Cr Maltby says.
“We are aware that some of this is moving very quickly, but if there is the possibility of significant funding from state and federal governments, we have an obligation to explore them.”
ELVIS to make ‘maine premiere in big screen fundraiser for Fringe Fest
It’s been a fair while since Elvis “left the building” but fans can expect a special return guest appearance from the king of rock ‘n roll in Castlemaine very soon.
Baz Luhrmann’s epic movie ELVIS starring Austin Butler and Oscar winner Tom Hanks, is set to make its Castlemaine premiere, screening at the Theatre Royal next Friday evening as part of a special fundraiser for the next Castlemaine Fringe Festival happening March next year.
In a move certain to delight fans of the rock and roll legend, next Friday’s special fundraising screening of ELVIS is being organised by The Fringe Festival’s organising committee.
“I am helping organise a red carpet premiere of ELVIS at the Theatre Royal on Friday July 15th as a fundraiser for Castlemaine Fringe,” says Fringe Festival chair, Castlemaine’s Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns.
“Getting dollars behind a great event like the Fringe Festival is critical.”
The Theatre Royal’s Felicity Cripps says the movie’s Castlemaine screening looks likely to be extremely well patronised.
“It’s probably been one of our most anticipated films of the year,” she says. “And the soundtrack is incredible,” Jacqueline says.
Among those taking a keen interest is Harcourt’s Brian Inwards who loves few things better than slipping into his ’70s Vegas-style Elvis outfit and going out for some fun on the town – many towns if possible.
“It all started at a friend’s stag do and it just grew from there,” confides Brian, who, 12 years on from that stag do is well established among the state’s legion of Elvis devotees noted for doing a pretty mean dress-up impersonation of the King.
It’s something Brian does any chance he gets – “Elvis Day, karaoke, pub sing… Everyone loves Elvis. In fact it’s how I met my wife,” he says.
But if you’ve never quite managed to master those iconic rock ‘n roll dance moves yourself – don’t worry.
Jacqueline says next Friday night’s special fundraising event will also offer a prime chance to amend all that.
“The night will include an after party with rock ‘n roll DJs,” she says.
“And we have dancers from Bendigo’s Jailhouse Rockers coming along on the night to perform and teach rock ‘n roll dance steps.”
More details can be found on the Theatre Royal website.
ELVIS is an epic, big-screen spectacle from Warner Bros Pictures and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann that explores the life and music of Elvis Presley.
